Metal box structure and components therefor

ABSTRACT

A box sign in which the bottom, top, and end walls are united into a rectangle. Each side of the rectangle is made from the same shaped extruded sections and each has an exposed first limb and a second limb at right angles to the first limb. Diagonal reinforcing members extend between the said limbs.

Umted States Patent 1 1 1 3,814,280 Ward 1451 June 4, 1974 METAL BOX STRUCTURE AND 2,837,153 6/1958 Brown 52/273 COMPONENTS THEREFOR 3,230,652 1/1966 McNuir 287/189.36 H l 3,235,989 2/1966 Brooks 287/l89.36 H [75] Inventor: Ma ce na Ward, Brlstol. 3,310,106 3/1967 Leseeleur 220/71 England 3,356,589 12/1967 Grell 2.20/71 [73] Assignee: Metalcraft (Bristol) Limited, Bristol,

England Primary Examiner-George E. Lowrance 22 Filed; Jam 17 972 Attorney, Agent, or Firm.lones and Lockwood [21] Appl. No.: 218,413

[57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl 220/71, 52/732, 220/4 R,

220/73, 287/189-36 H A box sign in which the bottom, top, and end walls are [51] Int. Cl 865d 7/44 united into a rectangle Each side of the rectangle is [58] Fleld of Search 220/4 R1 4 made from the same shaped extruded sections and 20/74; 287/189-36 H; 52/730 732 each has an exposed first limb and a second limb at v right angles to the first limb. Diagonal reinforcing [56] References C'ted members extend between the said limbs.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 744,300 11/1903 Dailey 220/71 7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUN M914 3814.280 SHEET 3 BF 3 METAL BOX STRUCTURE AND COMPONENTS THEREFOR This invention relates to metal frame structures for illuminated box signs and components therefor.

The box signs with which this invention is concerned are those in which it is desired to form one face or wall of the box of translucent sheet material, especially that known under the registered Trade Mark Perspex or of opaque sheet with a translucent message.

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a frame structure for a box sign in which four walls are made from extruded metal sections of the same shape joined together into a rectangle each wall comprising a section having a web forming the exposed surface of the wall and an inwardly projecting flange, one or more reinforcing members extending from the said web and joined directly or indirectly to the said flange. The structure resembles a right-angled parallelepiped. 1

According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a frame structure for a box sign in which four walls are made from the same metal sections and joined together into a rectangle each said wall comprising a first section having a web forming the exposed surface of the wall and an inwardly projecting flange between which and the said web there is provided at spaced intervals lengths of a second section inclined at an angle to the said web, the said section serving to reinforce the said walls of the box.

One form of box and sections therefor are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the box,

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the three sections which together make up the frame of the box,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of one wall of the box viewed from the inside,

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of one corner of the box,

FIG. 5 is a cross section of a modified form of frame section,

FIG. 6 is a cross section of a further modification, and

FIG. 7 is aperspective view of one bracing member shown in FIG. 6.

,Referring to the drawings, FIG. I shows an illuminated box sign comprising top and bottom walls 2 and 3 and side walls 4, and a translucent front panel 5 bearing a message 6 and a back panel 7. The box is intended to be secured to the vertical surface of a building or other fixed support by means described later, and also means (not shown) are provided for introducing into the interior of the box illumination which shows through the translucent front panel 5. The walls 2, 3 and 4 are made of the same extruded metal sections A B and C, so that only one will be described.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the part A comprises-a web 8 forming an exposed surface of the wall and having a flange 10 arranged at right angles thereto and terminating in a rib 12. A pair of ribs 14 projects from the flange 10 providing a channel 16. A second flange 18 parallel to the flange 10 is provided at the end of the web 8, the flange 18 being stepped towards its free end providing a rebate 19. The opposite end portion of the web 8 is provided with a rib 20 from which branch third and fourth flanges, the fourth flange being L-shaped and having a limb 22 parallel to the web 8 and a limb 26 formed with a recess 28. The space between the end of the web 8 and the limb 22 provides a channel 30 to co operate with the section C for retaining the front panel 5 in the box. The section C is L-shaped and comprises limbs 32 and 34. The limb 32 engages the channel 30 providing a slot for the edge of the panel 5. The third flange 36 which extends from the rib 20 is arranged at an angle of about 30 degrees to the web 8 and has an upwardly facing groove 38 terminating in a hook 40. The flange 36 is also provided with a hooked rib 42 providing a channel 44. Between the flanges l0 and 36 but nearer the flange 36 there is provided a rib 46 of triangular shape. The groove 38 and ribs l2 and 46 support at two foot intervals a length of section B which comprises a web 48 and outwardly inclined flanges 50 and 52 one at each side the flange 50 terminating in an inturned rib 54 and the flange 52 terminating in a bulbous enlargement 56. The section B is also provided with trough 58 shaped to engage the rib l2 and a flat 60 to bear on the flange 8 behind the rib 46. Section B is also provided with an L-shaped flange 62.

In use, section A is cut into lengths corresponding with the lengths of the walls of the box to be made and section B is cut into 4 inch lengths and fixed to the section A at 2 foot intervals along the length of the section A. Each length of section B is fixed by first engaging the bulbous part 56 in the groove 38 and then pushing the section upwards so that the flat 60 bears on the web 8 and the trough 58 engages the rib 12. The ends of the wall sections A are cut at a 45 angle and the means for uniting the sections A together is shown in FIG. 4. Self tapping screws 64 are applied through apertures 66 in the side walls 4 into the channels 16 and 44. The front panel 5 is applied to the front of the box and fixed in position by a frame made of section C, the limbs 32 fitting into the channels 30. Self tapping screws 68 are screwed into the groove 70 to bear on the limbs 32.

In order to secure the box to a wall or other fixed support a further length of section B indicated at B1 and of general channel shape is fixed one to each of the projecting flanges 50 of the already fastened section B of the bottom 3 by placing the sections B1 in the channel formed between the flanges l0 and the flanges 18 of section A as shown in FIG. 3. Self tapping screws 72 are screwed through the flanges 50 of section B into the flange 62 of section Bl. The sections B1 are fixed to the wall by means of self tapping screws (not shown) screwed through the webs 48 of sections Bl through the back wall 7 and into the wall of the building. This operation must of course be carried out before the front panel 5 is secured in position.

According to a modification shown in FIG. 5, the sections A and B are integrally formed and instead of the section B being provided at intervals along the lengths of the section A as described with reference to FIGS. 1-4 the reinforcement takes the form of a continous bracing member 72. The integral hollow section is made as a single extrusion.

According to the modification shown in FIGS. 6 and i 7, the reinforcement takes the form of Z-shaped strips LA box sign having four walls made from extruded metal sections joined together into a rectangle and a back extending between said walls, at least one wall comprising a section having a web forming the exposed surface of the wall and an inwardly projecting first flange normal thereto and a second inwardly projection flange spaced from said first flange and at least one separate generally diagonal extending reinforcing member extending from the said web and secured to the said first flange, the back of the box being secured to said second flange and reinforced at spaced intervals with sections of general channel shape extending between two opposite walls and secured between said first and second flanges.

2. A box sign according to claim 1 wherein there are a number of said first mentioned reinforcing members provided at spaced intervals between the said web and the said first flange.

3. A box sign according to claim I wherein the said sections of general channel shape that are secured between said first and second flanges are replaced by sections of general box like shape and wherein said first mentioned reinforcing members securement to said first flange is indirect by their being secured to said section of general box like shape.

4. A box sign according to claim I wherein each of the said reinforcing members is angled in its length to provide a bearing to abut the said web at a position intermediate of opposite edges of the web.

5. A box sign according to claim 4 wherein the said first flange is near one edge of the wall and a third inwardly projecting flange is provided near the opposite edge of the wall, one end of the diagonal reinforcing member engaging said third flange, the other end of said diagonal reinforcing member engaging said first flange and the said abutment bearing on the said web between said first and third flanges.

6. A box sign according to claim 1 wherein the sections reinforcing the back are of the same shape as said reinforcing member extending from said web and joined to said second flange.

7. A box sign according to claim 1 wherein the reinforcing members take the form of metal strips with flanges at each end, one flange being secured to the said web and the other flange being attached to a section secured to and extending from the first flange of the said section. 

1. A box sign having four walls made from extruded metal sections joined together into a rectangle and a back extending between said walls, at least one wall comprising a section having a web forming the exposed surface of the wall and an inwardly projecting first flange normal thereto and a second inwardly projection flange spaced from said first flange and at least one separate generally diagonal extending reinforcing member extending from the said web and secured to the said first flange, the back of the box being secured to said second flange and reinforced at spaced intervals with sections of general channel shape extending between two opposite walls and secured between said first and second flanges.
 2. A box sign according to claim 1 wherein there are a number of said first mentioned reinforcing members provided at spaced intervals between the said web and the said first flange.
 3. A box sign according to claim 1 wherein the said sections of general channel shape that are secured between said first and second flanges are replaced by sections of general box like shape and wherein said first mentioned reinforcing members securement to said first flange is indirect by their being secured to said section of general box like shape.
 4. A box sign according to claim 1 wherein each of the said reinforcing members is angled in its length to provide a bearing to abut the said web at a position intermediate of opposite edges of the web.
 5. A box sign according to claim 4 wherein the said first flange is near one edge of the wall and a third inwardly projecting flange is provided near the opposite edge of the wall, one end of the diagonal reinforcing member engaging said third flange, the other end of said diagonal reinforcing member engaging said first flange and the said abutment bearing on the said web between said first and third flanges.
 6. A box sign according to claim 1 wherein the sections reinforcing the back are of the same shape as said reinforcing member extending from said web and joined to said second flange.
 7. A box sign according to claim 1 wherein the reinforcing members take the form of metal strips with flanges at each end, one flange being secured to the said web and the other flange being attached to a section secured to and extending from the first flange of the said section. 